Melt spinning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A melt spinning assembly combining ease of assembly and disassembly with an effective sealing means during operation.

United States atefi Kilsdonk 1 1 Oct. 2, 1973 1 1 MELT SPINNINGAPPARATUS 3,217,922. 11/1965 Glasgon 220/46 P 1,483,499 2/1924 A1188220/46 P ux [75] lnvemol Har'ey Kllsdonklevendar 2,642,016 6 1953Thalmann 425 461 Netherlands 3,299,472 1/1967 Martin 425/464 I 3,121,2542/1964 Heynen et al..... 425/464 [73] Asslgnee g Incorporated Ashe 63,500,499 3/1970 GOOSSel'IS 425 192 1 Filed: 1971 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS [21] A L NQ 129,088 911,682 7/1946 France 220/46 P [30]Foreign Application Priority Data Prir zary Examir ler-d. S pencerOverholser p 8 970 Neherlands 7004994 Asszstant ExammerM1chae1 0. SuttonApr. 8, 1970 Netherlands 7004996 Young [52] 11.8. CI 425/382.2, 425/46457 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl B291 3/04 58 Field 6: Search 425/190, 192, 376,A SPmmng assembly ease assembly Q5/3822 464 220/46 P and disassemblywith an effective sealing means during operation.

[56'] References Cited 11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures UNXTED STATESPATENTS 2,969,561 1/1961 McCormick at al 425/382 x INVENTOR HARLEYKILSDONK ATTORNE FIG. 3

I NVEN TOR.

HARLEY KILSDONK ATTORNEY.

SHEET 3 BF 3 I NVENTOR.

HARLEY KILSDONK ATTORNEY MELT SPINNING APPARATUS This invention pertainsto an improved melt spinning assembly for the manufacture of threadsfrom one or more synthetic polymers. In particular, this inventionpertains to a melt spinning assembly that combines ease of dismantlingand reassembly with a simple and efficient means of sealing the assemblyto prevent leakage and undesirable pressure losses during operation.

Spinning assemblies of the general type of this invention are known inthe art i.e. an assemblage of components for directing a melt solutionto and through one or more spinneret holes to form a filamentary productuseful for various end-uses in textile and related industries. Anexample of such an assembly is found in the US. Pat. No. 3,479,692.While such assemblies perform their function well, cleaning and repairsrequiring disassembly can be rather time consummg.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a melt spinningassembly that can be quickly and easily disassembled and assembled forcleaning or repairwork.

Another object of this invention is to provide a meltspinning assemblythat will provide an effective seal while in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a meltspinning assemblycapable of withstanding pressures of up to 500 kg/cm.

A melt spinning assembly, according to the present invention, comprisestwo parallel side plates which have been formed so that the variouscomponents of the assembly can be loosely fitted into place, positioned,and then secured ready for operation. The present invention isespecially adaptive for relatively long, rectangular spinneret plates.

One preferred manner of fitting the assembly together is to have theupper and lower guide surface of the assembly form a dovetail groovearrangement with the side plates, thereby locking the assembly togetherwhen in position. A simple jack arrangement between the upper and lowersections can be used to secure the assembly in place. It has been foundthat a total clearance between the upper and lower guide surfaces of0.3mm to 1mm is adequate for ease in assembly and disassembly of themelt-spinning unit.

In order to provide an effective seal of the melt spinning assembly, aband-shaped sealing ring is placed along the side walls of the polymercavity. Use of this band-shaped ring removes the necessity of acompression gasket between the upper and lower portions of the polymercavity. Also, because of its design, the band-shaped seal becomes moreeffective as pressure within the polymer cavity increases. This isespecially beneficial for the higher operating pressures required forhigh density polymers and for high output requirements of lower densitypolymers.

The invention will be further described by referring to the followingFigures:

FIG. 1 is an end cross-sectional view of the assembly indicated by lineII in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the assembly indicated by linesII-II in FIG. ll.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly indicated along theline III-III in FIG. 2; the lid, the hood, and the apron being left out.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the assembly.

FIG. 5 is a variation of FIG. I of the assembly.

FIG. 6 shows the band-shaped sealing ring in the polymer cavity.

The horizontal section of the melt-spinning assembly represented inFIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is rectangular. Side plates 1 and 2 are provided withsloping guide surfaces 3, 4, 5, and 6. The various spinning assemblyparts, i.e. the spinneret plate 7, hood 8, and lid 9, fit between thetwo side plates. The spinneret plate 7 and the lid 9 are providedrespectively, with sloping guide surfaces 10 and Ill and R2 and 13corresponding to the guide surfaces 3, 4, 5, and 6 on side plates 1 and2 so that the assembled pieces form a dovetail joint with the sides.

The spinneret plate 7 is provided with a number of spinning holes 14placed in a rectangular pattern. Located in a recess of the spinneretplate 7 are a pack of filter gauges l5 and a pressure ring 16. The hood8 is provided with an inlet channel 17 for supplying polymer underpressure to the hood 8. The inlet channel 17 may be connected in a knownmanner (not shown) to a polymer supply with the aid of a stuffing box18. The inlet channel is connected to the hood 8 by inlet end 19 throughan opening 20 in side plate 2.

The inlet channel 17 ends in the polymer cavity 24 formed by surfaces 25of the spinneret plate 7 and hood 8. The cavity 24 may be largely filledby an apron 27, leaving a distribution channel 28 around the edges ofthe apron 27, formed by the surfaces 25 of the cavity and the surface ofthe apron 27. The lower face 28 of the apron slopes downward from theside of the apron. Legs 29 (see FIG. 3) support the apron over thespinneret plate 7, assuring proper flow of the polymer past its loweredge.

Once all components are positioned, slack in the dovetail guides may beremoved by jacking up the hood 8 from the spinneret plate 7. This may beaccomplished by adjusting screws 31 in the hood 8. In the particularembodiment shown in FIG. 2, the screws are accessible through openings32 in the lid 9. After assembly, the melt-spinning unit may be carriedabout by handle 33. When hood 8 and the spinneret plate 7 are forcedapart by the screws 31, a slit 34 (see FIG. 6) is formed at the boundarysurface between the two. Also, polymer pressures within the cavitymaintain this slit during operation. To prevent loss of polymer underoperating conditions, the slit 34 is sealed from the polymer cavity 24by a continuous band-shaped sealing ring 26. FIG. 6 shows the sealingring 26 in the non-deformed state. As soon as polymer pressure isapplied, the ring is forced outward against the walls 35 and 36. Thesewalls are sloped 2 3 toward the slit. The slit 34 is exposed toatmospheric conditions; therefore, the combination of sloping walls andatmospheric pressure on the outer surface of the sealing ring 26prevents polymer from being trapped behind the sealing ring andfloating" the ring away from the slit due to pressure equalization.Preferably, the slit is greater than 0.3 mm in width but less than twicethe radial thickness of the sealing ring. It is also preferred that theslit width be virtually constant around the periphery.

FIG. 5 shows a somewhat modified embodiment, with like parts referringto like numerals. The main distinction is that the apron, now referredto as 39, is integrally formed with the hood 8. The polymer supply frominlet 117 to the polymer distribution channel 42 now takes place viapoints and 41. At these points, the channel 42 has its greatest heights43 and 44, which on either side of the supply points 40 and 41 graduallydecrease to zero circumferentially.

The above description describes melt spinning a single polymercomponent. The invention may apply equally well, however, tomelt-spinning multi-polymer components by means known. Therefore,elements of the melt-spinning assembly may be adapted for multicomponentmelt spinning within the bounds of the invention as disclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. A melt spinning assembly for the manufacture of threads from one ormore synthetic polymers, comprisa. a spinneret plate having rectangularsides, said plate having multiple orifices for extruding polymers intothreads and sloping guide surfaces;

b. hood means having corresponding rectangular sides adjacent and abovethe spinneret plate, said hood means forming a cavity over the spinneretplate to supply one or more polymers to said spinneret plate and havingsloping guide surfaces forming a male dovetail guide in conjunction withthe spinneret plate guide surfaces;

c. sideplates having female dovetail slots loosely cor responding to thecombined hood means and spinneret plate male dovetail guide;

d. separating means for forcing said hood guide means and spinneretplate apart; and

e. sealing means for preventing loss of polymer from the cavity formedby said hood means and spinneret plate.

2. The melt spinning assembly of claim 1, wherein said separating meanscomprises adjustable screws mounted in the hood means.

3. The melt spinning assembly of claim 1 wherein the total verticalclearance between the male and female guide surfaces is greater than 0.3mm but less than 1.5

4. The melt spinning assembly of claim 1 wherein said sealing meanscomprise: I

a. at least one groove around the periphery of the cavity formed by thehood means and spinneret plate, said groove being approximately centeredalong the boundary surface of said hood means and spinneret plate, and

b. a continuous band-shaped sealing ring mountable in said groove.

5. The melt spinning assembly of claim 4 wherein the boundary surface ofsaid hood means and spinneret plate is exposed to atmospheric pressureduring operation.

6. The melt spinning assembly of claim 4 wherein the side walls of saidgroove are sloped at an angle of 2 3 from the vertical toward saidboundary surface.

7. The melt spinning assembly of claim 5 wherein the width of the slitformed by the boundary surface is smaller than'twice the thickness ofthe sealing ring before the latter is subjected to deformation.

8. The melt spinning assembly of claim 4 wherein said groove is formedby the sidewalls of said cavity.

9. The melt spinning assembly of claim 4 wherein the height of saidsealing ring is less than the height of said groove.

10. The melt spinning assembly of claim 5 wherein the height of saidsealing ring is approximately 1 mm less than the height of said groove.

11. A melt spinning assembly for the manufacture of threads from one ormore synthetic polymers, comprisa. a spinneret plate having rectangularsides, said plate having multiple orifices for extruding polymers intothreads;

b. hood means having corresponding rectangular sides adjacent and abovethe spinneret plate for supplying one or more polymers to the spinneretplate, said hood means forming a cavity over the spinneret plate tosupply poimer to each spinneret orifice;

c. sloping guide surfaces formed on the sides of said spinneret plateand adjacent hood means, said guide surfaces conjunctively forming amale dovetail guide;

d. side plates in which are formed female dovetail slots looselycorresponding to the combined hood means and spinneret plate maledovetail guide; and

e. a continuous band-shaped sealing ring mountable in the cavity formedbetween said hood means and said spinneret plate.

a a a

1. A melt spinning assembly for the manufacture of threads from one ormore synthetic polymers, comprising: a. a spinneret plate havingrectangular sides, said plate having multiple orifices for extrudingpolymers into threads and sloping guide surfaces; b. hood means havingcorresponding rectangular sides adjacent and above the spinneret plate,said hood means forming a cavity over the spinneret plate to supply oneor more polymers to said spinneret plate and having sloping guidesurfaces forming a male dovetail guide in conjunction with the spinneretplate guide surfaces; c. sideplates having female dovetail slots looselycorresponding to the combined hood means and spinneret plate maledovetail guide; d. separating means for forcing said hood guide meansand spinneret plate apart; and e. sealing means for preventing loss ofpolymer from the cavity formed by said hood means and spinneret plate.2. The melt spinning assembly of claim 1, wherein said separating meanscomprises adjustable screws mounted in the hood means.
 3. The meltspinning assembly of claim 1 wherein the total vertical clearancebetween the male and female guide surfaces is greater than 0.3 mm butless than 1.5 mm.
 4. The melt spinning assembly of claim 1 wherein saidsealing means comprise: a. at least one groove around the periphery ofthe cavity formed by the hood means and spinneret plate, said groovebeing approximately centered along the boundary surface of said hoodmeans and spinneret plate, and b. a continuous band-shaped sealing ringmountable in said groove.
 5. The melt spinning assembly of claim 4wherein the boundary surface of said hood means and spinneret plate isexposed to atmospheric pressure during operation.
 6. The melt spinningassembly of claim 4 wherein the side walls of said groove are sloped atan angle of 2* - 3* from the vertical toward said boundary surface. 7.The melt spinning assembly of claim 5 wherein the width of the slitformed by the boundary surface is smaller than twice the thickness ofthe sealing ring before the latter is subjected to deformation.
 8. Themelt spinning assembly of claim 4 wherein said groove is formed by thesidewalls of said cavity.
 9. The melt spinning assembly of claim 4wherein the height of said sealing ring is less than the height of saidgroove.
 10. The melt spinning assembly of claim 5 wherein the height ofsaid sealing ring is approximately 1 mm less than the height of saidgroove.
 11. A melt spinning assembly for the manufacture of threads fromone or more synthetic polymers, comprising: a. a spinneret plate havingrectangular sides, said plate having multiple orifices for extrudingpolymers into threads; b. hood means having corresponding rectangularsides adjacent and above the spinneret plate for supplying one or morepolymers to the spinneret plate, said hood means forming a cavity overthe spinneret plate to supply polmer to each spinneret orifice; c.sloping guide surfaces formed on the sides of said spinneret plate andadjacent hood means, said guide surfaces conjunctively forming a maledovetail guide; d. side plates in which are formed female dovetail slotsloosely corresponding to the combined hood means and spinneret platemale dovetail guide; and e. a continuous band-shaped sealing ringmountable in the cavity formed between said hood means and saidspinneret plate.